Material moving apparatus



June 18, 1940. J. F. JOY

MATERIAL MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 23; 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet l 1 n Zm'fjaa epkj. X4114 w kw m w EQ 4 Ill June "l J. F. JOY

MATERIAL MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 23, 1937 6 SheetsSheet 2 wl.llmdllllllhunl June 18, 1940. J F JQY 2,205,013

MATERIAL MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet s J. F. JOY

MATERIAL MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1937 June 18,1940.

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June 18, 1940. J. Y 2,205,013

MATERIAL MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 23', 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 v a r 62222622202 y? y ya 4 JZsepZzlYJag.

June 18, 1940. J. F. JOY

MATERIAL uovme APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet a Filed Feb. 23, 1937?---zw----------- E Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES MATERIAL MOVINGAPPARATUS Joseph F. Joy,

Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporationof Massachusetts Application February 23, 1937, Serial No. 127,019 6Claims. (01. 198-139) This invention relates to material movingapparatus, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improvementsin conveyors of the portable type especially designed for use in mines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved material movingapparatus. Another object is to provide an improved face conveyor of theself-moving type especially designed for use in mines and havingimproved means embodied therein for moving the same laterally intodifferent operating positions. Yet another object is to provide animproved mine conveyor of the sectional type. A further object is toprovide an improved conveyor driving means. Still another object is toprovide improved means for moving sections of the conveyor relative tothe section carrying the prime mover, whereby additional sections may bereadily inserted to increase the length of the conveyor, in an improvedmanner. Yet another object is to provide improved hydraulically operatedmeans for moving one section of the conveyor relative to another sectionthereof. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will,however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figs. 1 and 1 when taken together, show in side elevation theillustrative form of the improved conveying means.

Figs. 2 and 2 when taken. together, comprise a plan view of the improvedconveying means.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line3-3 of Fig.,1*-.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a portion of the conveyor shown in Figs. 2 and2 showing the conveyor sections in extended position ready for theinsertion of another conveyor section.

Fig. 5' is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially online 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially online 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on linel-l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially online 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig.8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially online iii-l of Fig. 1.

Figs. 11 and .12 are detail views showing one of the conveyor movingdrums and its associated control clutch, the views respectively showingthe clutch connected and released.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing thecoupling between two conveyor sections and the associated hydraulicmeans for separating or moving apart the conveyor sections.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the conveyor inv a mine andoperating in conjunction with a core cutting, dislodging and loadingapparatus.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing three mine rooms and illustratingthe conveyor in various stages of use in the different mine rooms andoperating in conjunction with a core cutting and loading apparatus.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown amaterial moving apparatus in the form of a face conveyor especiallydesigned for use in mines, although it will be evident that variousfeatures of the invention may be embodied in material moving apparatusof various other types. In this construction, I designates a conveyorframe of a vertically compact, elongated form comprising aprime-mover-carrying section 2 and two alined detachable frame sections3 and 4, although it is intended that anynumber of detachable sectionsmay be utilized in accordance with the particular conditionsencountered. The conveyor sections have smooth bottom surfaces adaptedto rest upon and slide over the mine floor. Each conveyor section hasits frame formed with a bottom skid provided with curved sides tofacilitate lateral sliding movement of the conveyor over the mine floorand provided with vertical sides 6, 6. Supported by the sides of theconveyor frame sections are transversely extending horizontal shafts Ihaving journaled thereon horizontal guiding rolls 8 for guiding anendless conveyor belt 9. Secured to the upper portions at the innersides of the vertical sides of the conveyor frame sections are curvedplates I 0 for directing and maintaining the material to be moved on thetop run of the endless conveyor, in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 3.The vertical side portions ii are spaced apart longitudinally of theframe sections to provide openings H therebetween so that the frames ofthe conveyor sections are materially lightened, and any material broughtback within the conveyor frame by the bottom run of the conveyor belt,will be freely discharged from the conveyor frame.

The prime-mover-carrying section 2 of the conveyor frame has supportedthereon a motor l2 (see Fig. 5) having its power shaft l3 horizontallydisposed and extending transversely of the conveyor frame section. Keyedto one end of the motor power shaft is a chain sprocket M connected byan endless drive chain E5 to a sprocket l5 fixed to a horizontaltransversely extending drive shaft i7 located at the left of the motor,as viewed in Fig. 5, and suitably journaled within the sides of theconveyor frame section. The shaft H in turn has keye thereto a spur gearl8 meshing with a spur gear l9 keyed to a parallel shaft likewisesuitably journaled Within the sides of the conveyor frame section. Thegear l9 meshes with and drives a spur gear 21 keyed to a parallel shaft22 similarly journaled within the sides of the conveyor frame section,and these shafts 2i! and 22 have keyed thereto drive rolls 23 and 24respectively, and these rolls cooperate in the drivin of the conveyorbelt 9.

Now referring to the improved means for moving the conveyor bodilylaterally into difierent operating positions, it will be noted thatkeyed to and driven by the shaft 22 (see Fig. 5) is a chain sprocket 25connected by an endless drive chain 25 to a chain sprocket 27 keyed to aparallel shaft 28 likewise journaled on the conveyor frame. Keyed to theshaft 28 is a worm 29 meshing with a worm wheel 30 (see Figs. 6 and 7)in turn keyed to a horizontal shaft 3! extending longitudinally of theconveyor frame section and suitably journaled thereon at one sidethereof. Alined with the shaft 3! and connected thereto by a detachablecoupling 32 (see Fig. 10) is a shaft 33 likewise journaled on the sideof the conveyor frame. The shaft 33 is journaled in bearings supportedwithin bearing brackets 34, 34 attached to the side of the conveyorframe, and suitably journaled on this shaft between the bearing bracketsis a drum 35 having wound thereon a cable 36. The shaft 33 isconnectible by detachable couplings 3'! to alined shafts 38, 38, andthese shafts are respectively journaled on the sides of the detachableconveyor frame sections 3 and 4. The shafts 38 are connected bydetachable couplings 39 to alined shafts 40, journaled in the samemanner as the shaft 33 shown in Fig. 10, on the detachable conveyorframe sections 3 and 4. The shafts 46 have respectively journaledthereon finding drums 4! similar to the drum 35, and similarly havingwound thereon cables 12. As shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the threedrums are connectible to their respective drive shafts by jaw clutches43, each comprising a clutch member 44 keyed to the shaft and acooperating clutch member 45 formed on the drum. Pivoted on the member Al is an operating lever 66 carrying a roller engaging the adjacent endface of the drum, and when the lever is swung into the position shown inFig. 12, the drum is shoved axially along the shaft against the tensionof a coil spring 67. When the lever is moved into the position shown inFig. 11, the coil spring 47 moves the clutch member 35 into engagedposition, and the drums may, at that time, be rotated in a direction towind in their respective cables. Mounted on brackets 48 supported on thesides of the conveyor frame sections opposite from the drums 35 and M,are horizontal guide rolls 49 for guiding the cables on the drums, thecables being extendible from the drums transversely across the conveyorframe beneath the conveyor and around the guide rolls in the mannershown in Fig. 3.

Mounted on the prime-mover-carrying section 2 of the conveyor frame is ahaulage drum 55 arranged in a horizontal position on a vertical axis(see Figs. 8 and 9) and having wound thereon a haulage cable 5|. Thisdrum is driven from the motor l2 by a chain sprocket 5? keyed to themotor power shaft i3 and connected by an endless drive chain 53 to asprocket 54 keyed to a horizontal shaft 55, herein arranged parallelwith the motor power shaft at the right of the motor, as viewed in Fig.8. This shaft is suitably journaled within the conveyor frame section 2and has keyed thereto and drives a bevel gear 55 meshing with reversebevels 5'! and 58, herein journaled on a horizontal shaft 59. The shaft59 extends longitudinally of the conveyor frame and is suitablyjournaled within the conveyor frame section 2 in the manner shown inFig. 8. The reverse bevels 57, 58 are selectively connectible to theshaft 59 by means of a conventional jaw clutch 60. Keyed to and drivenby the shaft 59 is a worm 5| meshing with a worm wheel 62 keyed to avertical shaft 63 suitably J'ournaled within the conveyor frame sectionand to which the haulage drum 58 is keyed, as shown in Fig. 9. It willthus be seen that the haulage drum may be rotated in either winding orunwinding direction under the control of the reversing clutch 60, whilethe motor l2 operates continuously in a single direction. Journaled onthe conveyor frame and arranged on a vertical axis is a guide sheave 64for guiding the haulage cable 5|.

As aforementioned, the conveyor frame sections are detachably connectedtogether. The detachable connections between the conveyor sectionscomprise lugs 65 on the opposite sides of the rear ends of the conveyorsections 3 and 4, and the opposite sides of the forward ends of theconveyor section 3 and the prime-mover-carrying section 2 have formedthereon lugs 68 adapted to cooperate with the lugs 65, in the mannershown in Fig. 13, and these lugs have registering openings for receivinglocking pins 61. By removing the locking pins and detaching thecouplings between the alined drum drive shafts, the conveyor sectionsmay be readily separated. To enable an insertion of additional conveyorframe sections to increase the length of the conveyor, the endlessconveyor belt 9 has a detachable connection at 68 of a conventional formso that an additional length of belt may readily be placed between theend connections of the belt when an additional frame section is insertedin the conveyor frame. The connection between the belt ends is, ofcourse, released when it is desired to separate the frame sections.

The means for moving the detachable conveyor sections rectilinearly inan endwise direction relative to the prime-mover-carrying section 2comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 69, 69 supported on the oppositesides of the conveyor frame section 2 and arranged in longitudinalparallel relation, and these cylinders contain reciprocable pistons 70having their piston rods "H extending forwardly through the front packedheads 12 of the cylinders. As shown most clearly in Fig. 13, secured tothe forward ends of the piston rods are connecting blocks 73 havingslots 74 for receiving pins 15 projecting laterally from the sides ofthe conveyor frame section 3 near the rearward end of the latter. A pin16 is insertible within openings in each of the blocks for locking thepistons to the conveyor frame section. The means for supplying hydraulicpressure to the hydraulic cylinders comprises a pump 1'! of aconventional design arranged in a tank 78 adapted to contain a liquid,preferably oil, and this pump is driven from the motor power shaft I 3by a chain sprocket l9 fixed to the power shaft and connected by anendless drive chain 80 to a chain sprocket 8| fixed to the drive shaftof the pump. This pump is adapted to supply liquid under pressure fromthe tank 18 through suitable pipe connections to the opposite ends ofthe cylinders to effect movement of the pistons therein in one directionor the other, as desired. Any suitable controlling means may be providedfor controlling the pump pressure and the supply of liquid to theopposite ends of the cylinders. From the foregoing, it will be evidentthat when the locking pins 61 are released, and the drum drive shaftcoupling and conveyor belt connection are detached, and hydraulicpressure is supplied to the rear ends of the cylinders 69, the pistons10 may be moved forwardly to effect forward recti linear endwisemovement of the conveyor frame sections 3 and 4 bodily relative to theprimemover-carrying section 2, into the position shown in Fig. 4.

The general mode of operation of the improved conveying means is asfollows: In Fig. 14 the conveyor is shown operating in conjunction witha core cutting, dislodging and loading apparatus, generally designated85, of the same general character as that disclosed in my copendingapplication, Ser. No. 23,087, filed May 23, 1935, now matured intoPatent No. 2,093,448, patented September 21, 1937. This core cuttingapparatus has core cutting means 86, and is movable rectilinearly alongthe coal face, and as cutting progresses the core cut by the cuttingmeans is dislodged from the mine wall and the broken down coaldischarged by discharge means 8'! laterally from the apparatus onto theconveyor in the manner illustrated; the conveyor arranged adjacent thecoal face in parallelism therewith between the coal face and the roofprops 88. As cuttingprogresses and it is desired to add a section to theconveyor to lengthen the latter, this may be accomplished by supplyinghydraulic pressure to the cylinders 69 to move the conveyor sections 3and l rectilinearly in an endwise direction forwardly with respect tothe primemover-carrying conveyor section 2 into the position shown inFig. 4. Prior to such forward rectilinear endwise movement of theconveyor sections 3 and 4, the connection between the ends of the beltis, of course, released, as also are the detachable couplings for thedrum drive shafts and the locks of the frame sections. When the partsare in the position shown in Fig. 4, the haulage cable 5| is extendedfrom the haulage drum 50 around the guide sheave 64 forwardly along theside of the conveyor frame in the man ner indicated in Fig. 2, the freeend of the cable passing around a guide sheave secured by an anchor jackand then rearwardly into connection with the additional conveyor framesection. As the haulage drum is rotated to wind in the cable, theconveyor section is moved bodily from a point near the main entryinwardly through the mine passage into a position substantially inparallelism with and at one side of the conveyor frame. The pins '56 forconnecting the piston rod blocks 13 to the pins 15 on the rear end ofthe conveyor section 3 are then removed and hydraulic pressure suppliedto the forward ends of the hydraulic cylinders to effect movement of thepistons rearwardly into their rearmost position. The additional conveyorsection is then moved laterally in any suitable manner, as by bars orjacks, into position between the forward end of the prime-mover-carryingsection 2 and the rear end of the conveyor section 3 and suitablyconnected in position therebetween by the locking lugs and locking pins.The drum drive shaft on the additional conveyor section is theninterposed between and alined with the shafts 3| and 38 and suitablyconnected thereto by suitable detachable couplings, and a belt sectionis added between the ends of the conveyor belt. When it is desired toadd additional sections to further lengthen the conveyor, the operationabove described is repeated and another conveyor section insertedin theconveyor frame. When it is desired to move the conveyor bodily laterallyinto different material moving positions, for instance from the dottedline position shown in Fig. 14 to the full line position shown in thatfigure, this can be accomplished by connecting the free ends of thecables of the drums 35 and 4! to anchor jacks located near the face, andwhen the clutches 43 are connected, the drums may be rotated in thedirection to wind in their respective cables, thereby to move theconveyor bodily laterally toward the coal face. The conveyor, as shownin Fig. 14, has its rear elevated end projecting into the mine entryabove a mine car, so that as the material to be moved is conveyedrearwardly by the conveyor, it is discharged into the waiting mine car.In Fig. 15 the improved conveying means is shown operating inoonjunctionwith a core cutting and loading apparatus, generally designated 89, ofthe same general character as that described in my copendingapplication, Ser. No. 23,088, filed May 23, 1935. As the pair ofswinging core cutting and dislodging arms 90 of the apparatus are swungabout their pivots, the coal is cut to form cores and the cores arebroken down and moved rearwardly onto the conveyor 9| of the apparatus,and this conveyor discharges onto the improved sectional conveyor. Inthis figure, three rooms are disclosed with a core cutting and loadingapparatus arranged in each room, and each apparatus discharges onto aconveyor which moves the material outwardly from the room into the mineentry, the conveyors all discharging onto an entry conveyor 92 of aconventional form. The entry conveyor discharges into a mine car locatedin the main entry of the mine in a well known manner. In this form ofthe invention, additional conveyor sections are added in the mannerdescribed above and the anchored pulley around which the haulage cablepasses is indicated at 93 and the free end of the haulage cable isconnected at 94 to the additional conveyor section which is designated95. The mode of operation of this form of the improved conveying meansis the same as that above described.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improvedsectional conveyor is provided, especially designed for use in mines andhaving improved means for driving the conveyor and for increasing thelength of the conveyor. It will further be noted that an improvedconveyor means is provided having improved self-moving means whereby theconveyor may be moved bodily into different operating positions withcomparative facility. It will still further be evident that an improvedsectional conveyor is provided having novel means whereby additionalconveyor sections may be inserted therein to increase the length of theconveyor as cutting progresses. These and other uses and advantages ofthe improved material moving apparatus will be clearly apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisform of the same is shown for purposes of il1us tration and that theinvention may be modified and, embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims,

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a material moving apparatus, a frame slidable on its own bottomover a mine floor and composed of a series of alined frame sectionsdetachably connected together, detachable means for connecting saidframe sections, conveying means guided on said frame sections, and motoroperated means on one frame section for moving another frame sectionbodily in an endwise direc tion relative thereto, said detachable meansbetween said relatively movable frame sections being detached prior tosuch relative movement.

In a material moving apparatus, a frame composed of a series of alinedframe sections detachably connected together, means for detachablyconnecting said frame sections, conveying means on said frame sections,and means for moving certain of said frame sections bodily in an endwisedirection relative to another frame section comprising extensible powerdevices between the adjacent ends of said relatively movable framesections, said detachable connecting means being detached prior to suchrelative movement.

3. In a material moving apparatus, a frame composed of alined framesections detachably connected together, means for detachably conmeetingsaid frame sections, conveying means on said frame sections, and meansfor moving certain of said frame sections bodily in an endwise directionrelative to another frame section comprising hydraulic cylinders mountedon one frame section and pistons contained in said cylinders and havingtheir piston rods connected to the next adjacent frame section, and amotor riven pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to said cylinders,said detachable means between said relatively movable sections beingdetached prior to such relative movement.

4. In a material moving apparatus, a frame composed of a series ofalined frame sections detachably connected together, detachable meansfor connecting said frame sections, conveying means guided on said framesections, and motor operated means on one frame section for movinganother frame section bodily in an endwise direction relative thereto,said detachable means between said relatively movable frame sectionsbeing detached to permit such relative movement.

5. In a material moving apparatus, a conveyor frame comprising a seriesof alined frame sections detachably connected together, detachable meansfor connecting said frame sections, conveying means on said framesections, means operative when said connecting means for certain of saidframe sections are detached for relatively moving certain of said framesections bodily in an endwise direction relative to another to permitthe insertion of an additional frame section, thereby to lengthen theconveyor frame, and a motor on one of said frame sections for drivingconveying means and for actuating said frame section moving means.

6. In a material moving apparatus, a conveyor frame comprising a seriesof alined frame sections detachably connected together, detachable meansfor connecting said frame sections, conveying means on said framesections, fluid actuated means operative when said connecting means forcertain of said frame sections are detached for relatively movingcertain of said frame sections bodily in an endwise direction relativeto another to permit insertion of an additional frame section, therebyto lengthen the conveyor frame, a motor on one of said frame sectionsfor driving said conveying means, and a pump driven by said motor forsupplying fluid under pressure to said fluid actuated means.

JOSEPH F. JOY.

